THE conclusion of the 2025/26 SW Peninsula League season brings the end of an era for Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police as their long-time manager Sam Biscoe now departs.

Biscoe was at the helm of the Bees for four years, most recently alongside Matt Hayden, and led them to a sixth-placed finish in the Premier East this term.

“It’s a tough division, there’s always been a frontrunning winner across the years I’ve been there,” said Biscoe.

On this occasion it was Ben Gerring’s Bovey Tracey AFC and with only one promotion slot up for grabs, it’s difficult to maintain an interest throughout the year, as Biscoe highlights.

“It’s quite frustrating really because once you know you’ve got a likely winner, there isn’t much to play for and that’s when the lads aren’t as engaged.

“We lost quite a few players to Brixham as a result, they were throwing some money at trying to stay in the Southern League” and Stoke paid the price.

They went flying out of the blocks by scoring 10 goals across their first two games, then drawing away at a strong Bridport FC side and delivering a five-star display against St Day AFC in the FA Vase.

Defeats to South Devon duo Newton Abbot Spurs and Teignmouth AFC took Stoke back down to earth but they continued to deliver very solid results for the remainder of 2025.

One blemish on their record was a controversial exit from the Vase in the second round.

After beating Helston Athletic of the Western League 3-0 at Broadley Lane, they were then forced to travel across the border for a rematch having fielded an ineligible player. Playing at short notice, Stoke were without several key players and they, in turn, lost 4-1 at Kellaway Park.

Biscoe labelled the situation as “heartbreaking” at the time, adding: “I felt really sorry for the lads because they played really well. It was really disappointing but it’s one we will learn from.”

The group clearly weren’t disheartened for long though as they responded with a 6-0 win over Ilminster Town in the WCP League Cup the following weekend. They beat Torridgeside AFC in the following round before exiting the quarter-finals at the hands of Cullompton Rangers.

Talking of Cully and it was those games against their fellow title hopefuls that proved costly for Stoke. They lost home and away to Spurs and Bovey, shipping nine goals at home against the champions elect, took just one point off of Bridport and then three from Cullompton.

As was the case with football teams up and down the country, their rhythm was massively disrupted in the early stages of 2026 with the weather wreaking havoc.

At a similar time, Hayden departed under a bit of a cloud and so it was far from an ideal campaign both on and off the field for the Bees.

Biscoe confirmed his own exit at the beginning of April and “The last few games were quite painful to be honest, especially from where we started.”

As mentioned before, they were well-beaten by Bovey. The Moorlanders were relentless and paid no attention to Biscoe making his final bow, battering Stoke by nine goals to one.

A 5-3 victory away at Crediton United offered some hope but Stoke Gabriel then picked up two points from the last nine available, slumping to sixth in the process.

By no means was it all doom and gloom though and Biscoe was proud of his role in the club’s youth development.

“Overall, I’m happy with how the year went, some good experiences, some good young lads come in through the club. We’ve got a good relationship with Torquay United and their college teams, pushing the youngsters through to give them experience in men’s football is great.

“As a manager, you want to be selfish and keep players on board for yourself but I think you’re doing a good job when your players are moving through the ranks and progressing up the ladder, it’s a tough one but for me personally I like it when the lads are stepping up and playing higher.”

On a more general note, Biscoe said: “I loved being with Stoke for four seasons. Really nice people, great club and great facilities.

“As a club, I have nothing but good words to say about them.”

Now, in something of a switcharoo, Hayden and Biscoe have taken up the managerial mantle at Newton Spurs for next season with former Spurs boss Connor Marshall replacing them in the Stoke technical area. Marshall will be partnered by Darren Raven.

Using their pull, the new Spurs duo have taken Jordan Thomas, Jesse Howe, Tom Burt, Saul Vanes and Sam Hancox with them, leaving Marshall with a big recruitment task ahead of him. Watch this space for news of Stoke’s own business.